Stratford Grand Prix: F1 Bid For Olympic Stadium

The Telegraph revealed yesterday that a bid has been put forward to stage a second British F1 Grand Prix at the Olympic Stadium.

The bid was put forward by Wanstead-based Intelligent Transport Solutions, who have canvassed the approval of diminutive F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. It's thought the track would run around the Olympic Park and into the stadium, though the Telegraph notes that 'there is considerable scepticism within the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) about the feasibility of the plan, which would entail major engineering and environmental challenges for the stadium and the surrounding Park'.

Should the plan go ahead, future residents of the athletes' village could enjoy Monaco-style views of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button battling it out at 200mph on their doorsteps. It's unlikely to be popular with environmental groups though, and goes against the much-touted green Olympics ethos.

A London Grand Prix has been off and on the cards for some time; former London mayor Ken Livingstone once engaged Ecclestone in discussions over a motor racing circuit in Hyde Park. The Olympic Park plan is the latest in a series of skirmishes between Ecclestone and the owners of Silverstone, with whom the F1 boss has feuded with over a number of years. Readers can draw their own conclusions on the likelihood of a Stratford Grand Prix ever going ahead.

The bidding process for the stadium's tenancy was reopened last year after West Ham United's bid collapsed following a legal challenge from rivals Tottenham Hotspur. West Ham aside, other candidates in the running for occupancy are the University of East London, University College of Football Business and Leyton Orient.